Fine Art Vendors

CALENDAR

December 1, 2025: Application Deadline [Application Fee: $35]
December 12, 2025: Artist Notification via Email 
January 31, 2026: Contracts & Booth Fees Due - Standard Booth Fee: $375 & Corner Booth Fee: $435
April 23, 2026: Exhibitor Setup 8AM-7PM
April 24, 2026: Festival 10AM-7PM
April 25, 2026: Festival 10AM-7PM
April 26, 2026: Festival 10AM-5PM [all artists must move out between 5:30PM-9PM on April 26th]

ARTWORK CATEGORIES

• 2D (Painting, Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Mixed Media, Digital Media)
• 3D (Glass, Clay, Wood, Metal, Sculpture, Jewelry, Fiber, Leather, Mixed Media)
• Other (Natural Product, Etc.)

AWARDS
Artists are eligible for several cash awards during the Dogwood Arts Festival including Best of Show, People's Choice, and Artist Awards. Booths will be evaluated Friday and awards will be announced on Saturday as soon as the judging is complete. Our 2026 awards will total $2,000. 

SUBMISSION & DEADLINE

The Application is due December 1, 2025 at 11:59pm. Notifications will be emailed to all applicants on Friday, December 12th. Artists must submit the $375 booth fee by January 31, 2026. Specific information about check-in, set-up and the Dogwood Arts Festival will be sent 2-3 weeks prior to the event. Participating exhibitors canceling after February 13, 2026 will not receive a refund for their booth fee.

JURY & SELECTION

Image quality is very important! Applications will be reviewed by an internal jury and Dogwood Arts Festival representatives. Along with the selected participants, a waiting list will be established in case of cancellation. Replacements will be made at the discretion of Dogwood Arts. Acceptance information will not be given over the phone prior to written notifications.

JURY DETAILS

• Average number of applications submitted each year: 275
• Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event: 100
• Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event: 2
• How images are viewed by jurors: Computer monitor
• Within a medium category, applications are sorted and viewed by: Random Order
• Number of jurors scoring applications: 3
• The show organizes the jurors for a: Single jury panel that scores applications for all medium categories
• Jurors score: Separately from various locations
• Am I allowed to observe the jury process? Jury process is closed

ACCEPTANCE POLICY
Participating Artists may only display work in the artwork categories in which they are accepted. The work must be comparable to that shown in the submitted images. It is Dogwood Arts’ exclusive right and responsibility to remove work that is inconsistent or deviates from the style or quality of the submitted images, or is otherwise not in compliance with the rules. In any dispute over Dogwood Arts policies, the decision of the Dogwood Arts Festival Committee shall prevail. Artists must be present on-site during open hours of the Festival. Assistants are permitted; however, they may not take the place of the artist at the Dogwood Arts Festival. Exhibitors may not ‘sublet’ their booth space to any non-collaborating artist.

OUTDOOR ELEMENTS
Spending a few days selling artwork at our festival sounds ideal, but when the weather isn’t cooperating with outdoor plans, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to stay as safe and comfortable as possible. Safety is our number one priority. Artists are to use their own judgment regarding inclement weather and personal safety. There is no refund of fees for bad weather. The Dogwood Arts Festival goes on rain or shine.  

ADVERTISING & PROMOTION

Images of participating artists may be used for archival, publicity, website, and confirmation purposes before, during, and after the Festival. Use will be agreed upon by Dogwood Arts and the artist. When Artist’s images are used, that they will receive name/studio recognition. 

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES
Prominent Regional & Local Marketing Campaigns (Media Value $125,000+)
Promotional Materials in All East Tennessee Visitor Centers (Spring Event Calendars & Visitor Guide Ads)
Easy Setup & Breakdown Locations
Accessible Downtown Parking Daily
Free Bottled Water Distributed Daily
Volunteer Boothsitters As Needed
Awards Totaling $2,000
15,000+ Annual Attendees 

GUIDELINES

The Dogwood Arts Festival is open to all artists within the accepted medium categories. Participation in any previous Dogwood Arts event does not guarantee acceptance! By submitting the application, the Artist agrees that he or she had direct, hands-on involvement with the creation and execution of each piece of work to be exhibited. Collaborating artists may show only their collaborative works – both names should appear on the application. (Collaboration here means artistic, not business collaboration).

• Images submitted must be representative of the work to be shown.
• Accepted artists must be present on site during the Dogwood Arts Festival open hours.
• Artists are limited to (1) 10'x10' booth space*
  • A very limited number of double booths will be available on a case by case basis (and assigned after the jurying process) 
• No work from commercial molds, kits, or manufactured work is accepted.
• Reproductions of 2-D works must be labeled ‘REPRODUCTION’ – not print.
• Ceramic works must be handmade by the Artist.
• Photographic prints must have been processed by the Artist or processed under the Artist’s direct supervision.
• Jewelry must be crafted by the Artist; simple beading and assembly is not acceptable.
• Artists are prohibited from selling non-original promotional items.

REPRODUCTION POLICY

In an attempt to foster an appreciation for and value of the arts for everyone, including those that cannot afford original work, we believe it is important to offer the public the chance to buy reproductions, hoping that they will move on to original work when possible. This transition is possible only if our patrons understand what they are buying.

Reproductions are an ancillary part of the display and should not exceed 40% of work shown. All reproductions must be clearly and individually labeled as such. No other terms such as ‘print’, ‘off set lithograph’ or ‘giclee’ may be used. Labels must say ‘Reproduction’, framed or unframed. No hand-colored reproductions will be considered ‘original’ works. Violation of the spirit, as well as the letter of the policy will be asked to remove their reproductions.

BOOTH INFORMATION

Artists must set up on Thursday, April 23rd between 8am-7pm. You will not be able to set up Friday morning. Specifics of tent location and set-up time will be provided after acceptance. Artists may not break down early on Sunday; booths must remain open until 5pm.

ARTIST AGREES TO THE FOLLLOW LEGAL CONDITIONS

*General Waiver of Liability Statement* 

I am an independent contractor, with no employees, no casual laborers, and no sub-contractors performing work for ​Dogwood Arts, the City of Knoxville, or Dogwood Arts’ Sponsors. I am not an employee of Dogwood Arts, the City of Knoxville, or Dogwood Arts’ Sponsors for workers’ compensation purposes, and therefore, I am not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under their policy coverage. I waive any and all rights to file any claims against said employer(s) in the event an accident should occur while I am participating in the Dogwood Arts Festival. 

*Standard Agreement Statements*

1. The Artist is an independent contractor in any and all relationships with Dogwood Arts. Artist agrees to remain open and present at the Dogwood Arts Festival during the show hours specified in our promotions. Tear-down begins immediately upon closing of the Festival on Sunday at 5:00pm. No early tear-down is allowed.
2. All work shall be created solely by the Artist(s) with no assistance of industrial production techniques and no imports or consignments of piecework items. In an attempt to foster an appreciation and value of the arts in all people, including those who cannot afford original work, we believe it is important to offer the public an opportunity to buy reproductions, hoping they will turn to original work as their incomes grow. This transition is only possible if our patrons understand exactly what they are buying. All reproductions must be clearly and individually labeled as such.
3. The artist agrees to comply with all applicable Knox County fire safety regulations regarding display space and materials. The artist agrees to comply with all Festival and City of Knoxville schedules, restrictions, rules, etc. whether outlined in this application or other official communications.
4. The artist agrees that the artwork on display at the Festival is of the same style and quality as was represented in the artist’s original application and jury images. The artist also agrees that the Festival shall have the right, by whatever means it desires, to record the artist, his/her booth, and their work. The Festival retains all rights to use such recording or materials on promoting and advertising the Festival in any media format it desires.
5. Limited security will be provided on the Festival site 24 hours a day. Each exhibiting artist is responsible for insuring their own work. The Festival assumes no responsibility or liability to cover loss or damage to the artist’s property or work. The artist shall bring their own display materials, including lights and electrical cords. If the artist utilizes any Festival employee or volunteer for booth relief or any type of assistance, it is understood that such person shall not be held responsible for any theft, loss or damage to the Artist’s work, booth or goods.
6. If the artist is supplying their own tent, the tent must have a white canopy, with display equipment, and rope tied to a minimum 200lbs of weights (50lbs per corner). Spikes and staking are not allowed under any circumstances. Tying off to any fixture, permanent or temporary, is not allowed. It is understood that canopies and displays will be of the highest quality and construction – no tarps or umbrellas are allowed. Artist booths that do not meet Dogwood Arts & City of Knoxville standards will be denied access to set up and participate in the Festival.
7. The Artist’s total booth fee is due no later than January 31, 2026. Cancellations must be received in writing before February 13, 2026. No refunds of any kind will be made after February 13, 2026.
8. The Artist is responsible for the payment of any and all taxes or fees assessed by any governmental or regulatory agency. If you have tax-related questions we recommend contacting the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Artists living statewide call (800) 342-1003 & Nashville-area or out-of-state artists call (615) 253-0600.

Carefully read and understand all communication from Dogwood Arts. Note deadlines, fees, requirements, and other important information. Any violation of provisions in this contract or any rules or policies communicated to the artist in official Dogwood Arts Festival correspondence may cause the artist to be removed from the show. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Dogwood Arts at 865.637.4561.